Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

He hath now such a sight of the blessed state of the Saints in glory, that ⟨p. 439⟩he despiseth all this world as dross and dung in comparison of it, and there he layeth up his happiness and his hopes, and takes all the matters of this life but as so many helps or hindrances in the way to that: so that the very bent and main care and business of his life is to be happy in the life to come. This is the case of all that are truly converted, and shall be saved. Is this your case, or not? Have you found such a change or work as this upon your soul? If he say, he hopes, he hath, descend to some particulars distinctly. E. G. I pray you then answer me to these two or three questions. 1. Can you truly say, that all the known sins of your life past are the grief of your heart, and that you have felt that everlasting misery is due to you for them, and that in the sense of this heavy burden, you have felt your self a lost man, and have gladly entertained the news of a Saviour, and cast your soul upon Christ alone for pardon by his blood. 2. Can you truly say, that your heart is so far turned from your former sins, that you hate the sins that formerly you loved, and love that holy life that you had no mind to before, and that you do not now live in the wilful practise of any known sin: Is there no sin which you be not heartily willing to leave whatever it cost you? And no duty which you be not willing to perform? 3. Can you truly say, that you have so far taken the everlasting enjoyments of God for your happiness, that it hath the most of your heart, of your love, desire, and care: and that you are resolved by the strength of grace to let go all that you have in the world rather then hazard it; and that it is your daily principal ⟨p. 444⟩business to seek it? Can you truly say, that though you have your failings and sins, yet your main care and the bent of your whole life is to please God and enjoy him for ever, and that you give the world Gods leavings, as it were, and not God the worlds leavings, and that your worldly business is but as a travellers seeking for provision in his journey, and heaven is the place that you take for your home.

He hath now such a sight of the blessed state of the Saints in glory, that ⟨p. 439⟩he despiseth all this world as dross and dung in comparison of it, and there he layeth up his happiness and his hopes, and takes all the matters of this life but as so many helps or hindrances in the way to that: so that the very bent and main care and business of his life is to be happy in the life to come. This is the case of all that are truly converted, and shall be saved. Is this your case, or not? Have you found such a change or work as this upon your soul? If he say, he hopes, he hath, descend to some particulars distinctly. E. G. I pray you then answer me to these two or three questions. 1. Can you truly say, that all the known sins of your life past are the grief of your heart, and that you have felt that everlasting misery is due to you for them, and that in the sense of this heavy burden, you have felt your self a lost man, and have gladly entertained the news of a Saviour, and cast your soul upon Christ alone for pardon by his blood. 2. Can you truly say, that your heart is so far turned from your former sins, that you hate the sins that formerly you loved, and love that holy life that you had no mind to before, and that you do not now live in the willful practise of any known sin: Is there no sin which you be not heartily willing to leave whatever it cost you? And no duty which you be not willing to perform? 3. Can you truly say, that you have so far taken the everlasting enjoyments of God for your happiness, that it hath the most of your heart, of your love, desire, and care: and that you are resolved by the strength of grace to let go all that you have in the world rather then hazard it; and that it is your daily principal